Uptown Players Launches Dallas Pride Performing Arts Festival

Uptown Players will present the Dallas Pride Performing Arts Festival at the Kalita Humphreys Theater beginning September 9 which will feature two theatrical productions, a night of musical entertainment, comedians Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen, and a collection of staged readings, one acts, and other offerings. The center piece of the festival will be the world premiere of a new musical, Crazy Just Like Me, by Drew Gasparini and Louis Sacco. You can find full details after the jump.

UPTOWN PLAYERS PRESENTS DALLAS PRIDE PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL

DALLAS, July 15, 2011 – Uptown Players, a professional theater group located in the Uptown area of Dallas, has announced its programming for the Dallas Pride Performing Arts Festival. From September 9 – 17, 2011, Uptown Players will present a nine-day festival of plays, musicals and cabaret acts celebrating Dallas Gay Pride.

The festival will feature the world premiere of a new musical, Crazy Just Like Me, by Drew Gasparini and Louis Sacco. In Crazy Just Like Me, Simon, Mike and Lauren, are dealing with life, love, change and discovery and learn that sometimes, you don’t get to pick who you love. Sometimes it picks you, and when it does it brings out the crazy in all of us.

Also on the main stage at the Kalita Humphreys Theater is the heartwarming urban fairy tale, Beautiful Thing by Jonathan Harvey. At turns tough and tender, the play combines fantasy and reality to truly capture what it is to be 16, in the first flush of love and full of optimism. This production will support Youth First Texas, whose mission is to provide a safe space for LGBTQ youth and their allied friends to strengthen opportunities for life skills, leadership development, peer support and educational advancement.

For just one night only, From Chopin to Show-tunes shines the spotlight on Uptown’s marvelous Maestros Kevin Gunter and Adam C. Wright in a program from pop to classical to Broadway’s best.

Presented in Franks Place upstairs at the Kalita Humphreys Theater, will be a series of plays and staged readings and the return of an Uptown favorite for just three performances.

The Last Sunday in June, by Jonathan Tolins, takes a look at a seemingly ideal gay couple and their extended family on a fateful Gay Pride Day. The show is often hilarious and at times very moving.

The New Century is another new creation by the always hysterical Paul Rudnick. The NY Post says “The evening contains so many gut-busting one-liners that those with heart conditions are warned.” The cast includes Uptown favorites, Paul J. Williams and Marisa Diotalevi.

Asher, TX ’82 is a new one-act play by local playwright, Bruce R. Coleman. In this world premiere, four teens from a small Texas town, confronted by a violent act of bullying, must choose to stay as they are or change forever.

Presented in an evening with Asher TX ’82, are two short plays by Austin playwright, Allen Baker. Originally presented at the Austin Pride Festival, Click discovers two gay guys online on a Saturday night trying to hook up, each for a somewhat different reason. Jason sees easy sex as a way to avoid intimacy. Michael sees it as a way to get to intimacy more quickly. In A Midsummer Night’s Conversation, a gay couple must face a critical moment just four months into their relationship. It’s a time for honesty, intimacy and total self-exposure. And one of the two is an actor…a very good actor.

Back by popular demand is The Facts of Life: The Lost Episode written by Jamie Morris. Join Mrs. G. and the girls for the revival of Uptown’s 2008 smash hit. Paul J. Williams, Chad Peterson, Kevin Moore, Chris Robinson and Darius Anthony Robinson return for just three performances.

Also being presented as part of the Festival are two staged readings.
The first staged reading is a ground breaking play, Last Summer at Bluefish Cove, by Jane Chambers. This piece is a world-renowned milestone in lesbian theater history as it was the first mainstream quality literary piece of its kind. The second staged reading is a workshop of a new musical by Jeff Kinman, Adam C. Wright and John de los Santos, entitled A Taste Of Beauty. Be the first to get “a taste of beauty” and get a chance to provide some feedback on a new musical to these local playwrights.

Closing out the festival will be a performance by music and comedy legends Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen. Best known for their performances on RSVP cruises, Amy and Freddy have graced the stages coast-to-coast and in more than 20 countries with their one-of-a-kind wit and musical prowess. This is a performance you won’t want to miss!

Tickets for all shows range from $10 – $20. Festival passes allow you to see every production, for just $50. Festival Pass holders can guarantee their seat to see Amy and Freddy for an additional $20. Performances will take place at the Kalita Humphreys Theater, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd at Blackburn. Beginning Monday, July 18, tickets and festival passes can be purchased online at www.uptownplayers.org or by phone at 214-219-2718.

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Uptown Players Festival Lineup:

Kalita Humphreys Theater

Crazy Just Like Me September 9, 11, 14, 16 @ 7:30 p.m.

Beautiful Thing September 10, 15 @ 7:30 p.m., September 17 @ 2 p.m.

From Chopin to Show Tunes September 13 @ 7:30 p.m.

Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen September 17 @ 8:30 p.m.

Franks Place (upstairs at the Kalita Humphreys Theater)

The Facts Of Life: The Lost Episode September 9, 14 @ 8 p.m., September 10 @ 9:30 p.m.

The New Century September 10 @ 3 p.m., September 11 @ 5:30 p.m., September 17 @ 4 p.m.